able is the Dutch Lutheran church, a Gothic
structure, of singular appearance. I was much
entertained with the manufactures of glass for
windows and bottles, near the town; as well as
with a set of mills for preparing tobacco, mustard,
starch, and cocoa, worked by curious water ma-
chinery. A few years ago the chief of the inha-
bitants were of Dutch origin, but the advantages
for commerce are so great, that strangers from all
quarters have settled here. The trade is princi-
pally carried on with the produce of the Mohawk
'country, and reaches eastward as far as agriculture
and cultivated lands extend. The exports mostly
consist in timber and lumber of every sort, pot
and pearl ashes, grain and manufactured goods;
which are brought hither in winter on sledges,
and sent by the merchants to New York, whence
they are frequently exported to Europe. Getting
money is the grand object at Albany, and busi-
ness the delight of most of the people; yet a few
of the Dutch Dons have found leisure to entertain
us with great civility. Their hospitality, and our
acquaintance with an Indian Chief, have detained
us here some time. Our route is determined by
Mr. Franklin, to the northward, to visit the shores
of Lake Champlain, whence I shall probably write
again. Adieu. A kiss to both my sisters, and do
not suffer absence to weaken your affection for
yours,

ARTHUR MIDDLETON.
LETTER

LETTER XXX.

Mr. H. Franklin to his Brother.

DEAR BROTHER,

Albany

THIS place is much resorted to by the Indians; and as I am particularly desirous of making acquaintance with them, wherever they cross my path, that I may gain a thorough knowledge of their character, I have lengthened my stay, and have been well recompensed by an introduction to Kayashota, a chief of the Mohawks, who has had an European education, and to great natural talents adds the most amiable manners. He has been with me every day, and has given me some curious particulars concerning the Six Nations, which inhabit the neighbourhood of the Great Lakes. He feels a patriotic warmth for the welfare of the Indians in general, and his own nation in particular; and sometimes speaks rather indig. nantly of the encroachments and arts, too often used by the European settlers, to diminish the territories of these, the native possessors of the soil. He loves to maintain the glory of the warlike atchievements of the Indian heroes; and has communicated to me some interesting details of the war between these people and the Americans, which,

though

though it will form a little volume, I shall transcribe for your amusement, believing it will be acceptable to you, from its novelty, and authenticity of facts very little known, related in the true Indian style, though in an English dress.

As I do not desire to increase the bulk of this packet, I shall introduce you immediately to my Indian friend, who, with his pipe in his hand, addressed me nearly as follows.

"The Six Nations form a confederacy, or federal union, without either having any superiority over the others. This league consists of the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas, the Senecas, and the Tuscaroras. Each of these nations is again divided into three tribes, or families, who are distinguished by different arms, or ensigns. The Tortoise, the Bear, and the Wolf, are the tokens put to all treaties by our chiefs, who maintain their authority by honour or shame, having no other restraint over the people.

"In former times, different circumstances caused various Indian tribes to emigrate to new situations. Some of these occur to me at this moment, which it may be grateful to you to know. Those who are sometimes called River Indians inhabited the north side of Hudson's River, below Albany, and afterwards formed the village of Stackbridge. Some of them learned to cultivate the land, whilst others

* Mahingans or Muhkekanok.

were

were sunk in indolence. The better sort, com. passionating their destitute brethren, removed to the Oneidas, who bestowed a sufficient tract of land upon them, where they formed a settlement called Brothertown. Many of this tribe betook themselves to the Miami country, in the neighbourhood of Lake Michigan; and the Little Turtle, a renowned chief of the Miamis, is said to be one of their descendants. A band of these River Indians retired to Long Island, and afterwards removed to the westward, where, having but a small portion of land, they generally support themselves in the fisheries.

"The Miamis have very much mixed with the six nations, as may be said of the Eropus Indians. Numbers of the New England Indians went to Canada and the westward. The French call them Abinakies, which resembles the common name given by the Chipperas to all the sea coast tribes. The Narragons remain the most in a body in these parts. They wear the European dress; and are chiefly employed in the fisheries. The generality of those who remained on the coast acquired property, and blended with the other inhabitants, mostly deserting their tribe. Some owed their success to superior prudence and industry; but others, I fear, from conniving at the sale of lands beneath their value, and sharing the profits with the speculators. The rest, who, from their sim

plicity

plicity and want of foresight, remained poor, united together, and enjoyed in common the small reserves of their possessions, which just preserved them from dependence. At present the Oneidas are farthest to the eastward of any of the confederated tribes, known by a name* signifying a fixed house; as they consider themselves one house, divided into five families, or five places; having originally consisted of five nations only, till the Tuscaroras were permitted to join them. Ancient tradition says, that a Mohawk chief, called Tekanawitagh went westerly, with design to unite in firm compact the five dialects. Ododsefhte, a principal chief of the Oneidas, with his tribe, were adopted by him as his son. These two leaders proceeded together to Onondaga †, where Thadsdashon presided. They could not persuade him to accede to their proposal, but by giving him the dignity of Guardian of the General Council, which was to be held at his village. These new associates were styled brothers; as were the Senecas, who being the most westerly, received a name ‡, signifying a bearing the door of the house.

* Akononghtropi.

+ Most of the Indian names are significant. Onondaga was given to this tribe from its situation on a hill; on this occasion, of obtaining the precedency, it received that of Roghsennakeghte, or Title Bearer.

Bonninhokhont.

The